1. TACKLING THE GREAT LOOP

Peter Frank, a 23-year-old adventurer, is paddling a 6,000-mile journey called the Great Loop in a canoe. He started in Michigan in June and has reached Maryland, but he still has a long way to go. The Great Loop is a water route that includes rivers, lakes, and coastlines in the U.S. and Canada. Peter’s trip is his way of celebrating life after surviving a serious car accident when he was younger. He uses a blog to share his journey and raise money for food, like rotisserie chicken, through donations. Along the way, he camps outdoors, makes his own clothes, and carries gadgets to stay connected. He’s even writing about his adventures to help other travelers. Peter says the journey isn’t easy. He paddles up to 10 hours a day and carries all his supplies in his canoe. But he loves exploring and sees this trip as a way to give thanks for being alive. He hopes to finish the loop by next November before winter freezes the lakes. For Peter, this adventure is about more than travel—it’s about discovering who he is and enjoying the simple things in life. Using resources in your classroom, look up a section of the Great Loop route, like rivers, lakes, and other landmarks. Write a summary of what you found in at least 5 sentences.

2. A BIG WIN FOR PUGS

A pug named Vito made history by becoming the first pug to win Best in Show at the National Dog Show! The 2-year-old dog beat nearly 2,000 other dogs from over 200 breeds during the competition, which aired on Thanksgiving after the Macy’s Parade. Vito, described by judges as “everything a pug should be,” impressed everyone with his adorable looks, great movement, and confident attitude. His handler, Michael Scott, said Vito seemed to know he was a winner. Vito’s owner, Carolyn Koch from North Carolina, was thrilled to win a cash prize and bragging rights. Before winning Best in Show, Vito won the toy group, which includes small but super-charismatic dogs. Vito has also won other big prizes, like Best of Breed at the Westminster Dog Show earlier this year. Vito wasn’t the only superstar. The second-place winner was a Welsh terrier named Verde, and the finalists included other amazing dogs like a giant schnauzer and a Lhasa Apso. The National Dog Show has been around since 1879 and has aired on TV since 2002, bringing millions of viewers a closer look at some of the world’s most amazing dogs. If you were judging a dog show, what qualities would you look for? Write down as many as you can think of that are important for a dog to have. Then, share your answers with your classmates and see what different ideas you all came up with.

3. MAP IT

Alice Hudson, a librarian who loved maps, helped the New York Public Library build one of the world’s biggest map collections. She passed away at 77. Alice started working with maps in the 1970s and became the head of the library’s map division in 1981. Under her leadership, the collection grew to over 400,000 maps and 24,000 atlases. Alice believed maps weren’t just for finding places—they told stories about history, geography, and culture. She made the collection easier to use, helped uncover historic African American sites in New York, and even worked to digitize maps for the future. She faced challenges, like when rare maps were stolen from the library, but her passion for maps never faded. Alice also taught map librarianship and inspired students with her work. Her efforts won her awards and respect in her field. Her motto? “Without geography, you’re nowhere.” Alice’s love for maps made history easier to see and understand for everyone. Think about maps you’ve used in classroom lessons. What can a map tell you other than the geographic location of a place? Write a list of different things you can learn from a map, then draw your own map of something familiar to you, like your school, your house, or your town.

4. FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS

Scientists have discovered ancient footprints in Kenya that show two different human ancestors lived near each other about 1.5 million years ago. These footprints were left by two species: Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei. The prints were found near Lake Turkana and suggest that these two species may have seen each other and even interacted. The footprints are important because they were left at the same time, which gives scientists a clear picture of when these species existed together. The footprints show that Homo erectus walked like modern humans, while Paranthropus boisei walked differently, with a more mobile big toe. This discovery helps scientists understand how early humans evolved to walk on two feet, showing there were different ways this might have happened over time. Imagine you are a scientist who just discovered these ancient footprints. Draw your own version of what the footprints might have looked like, based on what you’ve learned about the two species. Then, write a paragraph of 3-5 sentences explaining your drawing and the similarities and differences you’re showing.

5. MOTORCYCLE MARY

Mary McGee, a pioneering female racer, passed away at 87, just a day before the release of a documentary about her life called Motorcycle Mary. McGee was a trailblazer in both auto and motorcycle racing. In 1975, she became the first person, man or woman, to complete the tough Baja 500 race in Mexico by herself. Her achievements in motorsports inspired many, especially women, and she was known for her kindness and mentorship. McGee made history by being the first woman to race motorcycles in the U.S. and the first to get major sponsorships. She was also inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018. The documentary about her, produced by famous racer Lewis Hamilton, was shown at the Tribeca Festival and released on ESPN’s YouTube channel. McGee’s legacy as a racing pioneer will continue to inspire future generations. Mary McGee was known for mentoring younger racers. Write at least 5 sentences about why you think mentorship is important, especially in fields where people might face obstacles or feel like outsiders.